I asked a questions to my Bride after their wonderful wedding day....
The Planning
- What was the most difficult part of planning?
- What was the most difficult part of planning?
The anticipation of not knowing how many people would be able to come after the invites went out.
- How did having a planner help?
Our wedding would not have been possible without a planner. We live abroad and so it was vital to have someone local who could inform all the parties involved of timings and also execute our ideas, drafting the relevant people in, like fireworks for example. Without a planner the day would not have flowed so smoothly.
- What would you do differently?
I don't think I would change anything about the way the overall day went. In terms of smaller things however, in hindsight I would have had a smaller bouquet of flowers as although they were beautiful they were quite heavy and inpractical.
The Wedding
- How did you feel before it all began?
I felt quite relaxed and excited about it all, but I didn't want to spend hours agonising over decisions. If we saw something we liked then we just went with that. I was keen for it not to take over our lives in the planning stage - another very good reason for having a wedding planner!
- Did anything happen that wasnt in the plan?
Er the torrential rain?! Which incidently kept everyone in the marquee and made for awesome dance floor action. Literally everyone danced.
- Did anything happen that was a problem?
Yes, the toilet unit that we rented from Borderloos stopped working at 5pm - when people had only just entered the marquee. In the women's side they literally just did not flush. We had the most beautiful marquee with the equivalent of festival toilets outside. Thank fully most guests went up to use the hotel's facilities.
- Were issued dealt with?
Our planner called Borderloos to get them fixed and although they promised someone would come out, no-one turned up. Subsequently the suppliers of our marquee spoke to Borderloos and we were given a full refund.
- How did a planner help on the day?
Immensely! She made sure the guests knew where they had to be and when and liaised with every party involved from the florist, the hotel, the marquee suppliers, the bands, the firework man, the wedding transport for the guests and the photographer. We did not have to get involved in anything - all we had to do was enjoy the day. Then once it had all finished the next day the planner packed up all the things that she thought we'd like to take from the marquee and helped us clear it out - so it's not just the build up to and the day itself but all the clearing up and sorting out afterwards and making sure that all the cards and gifts actually get to you.
- Do you remember any guests comments from the day?
Yes - I'll never forget them. "The best wedding we've ever been to." "Can't believe the effort that has gone into this and all the personal touches" (As wedding favours we bought pashminas for the female guests which were very popular and put photos on the tables of all the times we shared together with them, my parents did the same for their friends too - little gestures that were so well appreciated.) "The best food and wine I've ever had at a wedding." "The best speeches I have ever heard at a wedding." People really do say the lovliest things on your wedding day. We have never felt so loved!
- Elspeth, Bride
On this occasion I was asked to help by the venue as it was a large wedding with a lot to organise. They had a wonderful sunlit cruise on Ullswater the night before then a service at Newton Reigny on their wedding day. Unfortunately, the weather just got worse and worse! By the time the band came, they got stuck in the mud and waiters had to be sent out to help! The fireworks only just happened and the loos were an unpredictable nightmare! But everyone had a blast! You would have never of guessed that so many things were going wrong, but thats the way I like it! Nobody else spoke to the couple as people only needed to talk to me. I take the strain! It was a very long day but worth it to see such happy faces! I wish them all the best in the future!
